Ａｌｍｏｓｔ Ｙｏｕ

chapter 22: a good dealt hand

We rode on the train to Paris, the sun was particularly bright tonight. It felt so nice against my skin, my head leaning against the window. I felt a soft kiss on my shoulder and I turned to see Harry smiling at me.

"How are you feeling?" He said. I smiled, reaching for his hand and lacing our fingers together.

"Honest truth?" I said softly. He nodded squeezing my hand.

"I'm exhausted, but I'm really excited for today. We get to see the Eiffel Tower." I smiled small and he chuckled.

"We do. Why don't you sleep, we still have an hour and Rosie is knocked out. Take advantage of the time." He said, and I peeked over at Rosie who was sitting on the edge so she could be close to my mom. She was knocked out, her head resting on Harry's arm. I smiled, looking back at Harry and shaking my head a bit.

"I want to enjoy the train ride. I wanna try and push through today, okay? I don't want to give in today. I can do this." I smiled and he kissed my nose.

"You can, you can do anything." He said and I smiled, turning back to the window.

—

We checked into our rooms, my mom taking Rosie into hers right across the hall from ours. Rosie didn't fuss too much about it, my mum assuring her she could come see me later. I walked into the room, and immediately my eyes were drawn to the double doors straight across, opened to let light in. I walked over, dropping my bags down on the bed and as I got closer I caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

"Oh my gosh," I said, taking it in, my hand on my heart. I cried and soon I felt Harry's arms wrapped around my waist. He kissed my shoulder softly, and I could feel him smile against it.

"Happy?" He said softly and I nodded, peeking back at him.

"I can't even begin to describe it. I feel like so much heaviness awaits me at home, but here, I feel so light. I just can't believe I'm here." I said and he kissed my cheek.

"Well believe it babe. So, if you really don't want to rest, I was thinking we can go grab a pastry while your mum and Rosie rest? I know your mum had your booked staring at noon, so that give us two hours."

"A croissant and some hot chocolate?" I smiled big and he nodded.

"That sounds exactly like my cup of tea." He kissed my chee again, and I reached up, turning slightly so I could kiss his lips.

"You're my cup of tea." I said, giggling at the cheesy line, causing him to laugh as well.

"The feeling is mutual, Madeline Craig."

Harry's POV

I was working hard on ignoring that she should be resting right now. I wanted to make everything memorable for her. I wanted her to be able to close her eyes and remember the taste of her croissant of her hot chocolate. To remember what it felt like when she walked down a certain street in Paris, how the people interacted with each other. I knew this would all be tainted if I kept reminding her she was sick. If I kept reminding her that she needed to rest.

We walked hand in hand through the street in Paris, to a small cafe I enjoyed coming to whenever I was here. For the most part I could go there unrecognized and they had the best hot chocolate in all of Paris. We arrived at the front, and I asked the hostess in French for a table outside. She guided us to one and we took our seats.

Maddy had changed out of her train clothes and into a beautiful white summer dress, the straps thin, sitting perfectly on her shoulders. Her hair was extra curly and unruly, I loved it. It made her look alive and happy. My heart clenched as she smiled over at me.